Casket



F. E. DAVIS 2,664,614

CASKET Jan. 5, 1954 Filed May 17, 1951 3 Sheets-heet l INVENTOR. fi mmiiE. wvis J ATTORNEYS Jan. 5, 1954 Filed May 17, 1951 F. E. DAVIS CASKET 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Hank E. Bab vis BY @M w rm ATTOR N EYS Jan. 5, 1954 F. E. DAVIS 2,664,614

CASKET Filed May 17, 1951 3 Shets-Sh e et 3 MWWW l INVENTOR.

Ham/fiEDavi-s ATTOR N EYS Patented Jan. 5, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CASKET Frank'E. Davis, Louisville, Ky.

Application May 17,

2 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in a casket that is used for burial purposes and is directed to such a casket when displayed, before, during and after the burial ceremonies.

An object of my invention is to provide in a casket a head end portion that is capable of either being opened through a hinged composite head cap to display the body or through opening a composite head cap, a front ogee section and a head end section to make a half couch to display the body.

A further object of my invention is to provide in a half couch casket a foot end portion having an end of concave shape with a surface that slopes upwardly toward the foot end of the casket and extends into the foot end beyond the half couch line of demarcation and a cooperating head end portion having a composite head cap which has a foot end of convex shape in juxtaposition with and of a shape complementary to the concave shaped slanting end on the foot end portion of the casket.

Another object of my invention is to provide in a half couch casket a foot section having a concave end slanting upwardly and toward the foot end and a head end section comprising a composite head cap substantially the width of the casket and having a convex foot end portion cooperating with the concave end on the foot portion of the casket, a convex head end and a convex front edge whereby the two ends and the front edge form an oval-like portion of the head cap and wherein the head end section has a, narrow front section pivoted to a side wall of the casket with a concave rear edge cooperating with the convex front edge of the composite head cap and a head end section pivoted to the head end wall of the casket and having a concave portion cooperating with the convex head end of the composite head cap so that the head end section may be opened to provide a larger opening for more easily inserting the body and to more fully display same.

Another object of my invention is to. provide in a casket of the half couch type a composite head cap which is hinged to the back wall of the casket and extends substantially the width of the casket and has a pleasing oval-like shape throughout its two ends and its front edge and wherein a narrow front section is hinged to the front wall and has a curved portion which cooperates with the adjacent convex portion of the composite head cap when closed but when such narrow front section is opened it does not obscure the front wall of the casket to any marked degree.

1951, Serial No. 226,810

2 Other objects of my invention will, in part, be obvious and in part appear hereinafter.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of my invention reference can be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the casket with the openable head end portion in closed position depicting the general oval-like composite head cap which extends substantially the full width of the casket;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the casket shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section along lines 33 of Fig. 1 depicting the head end portion and its cooperation with the juxtaposition end of the foot end portion;

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section of the head end portion viewed along lines 4l-4 of Fig. 1; t

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the casket showing the composite oval-like head cap in open position wherein the casket is used as a hinged. head cap and yet displaying a relatively large oval-like opening in the top of the head of the casket;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation similar to Fig. 5 but showing the head end portion of the casket fully opened wherein the composite oval-like head cap is hinged to open position, the narrow front section is hinged open and the head end section is hinged to opened position; and

Fig. 7 is a view of the casket similar to Fig. 6 displaying the lining and with a broken line in the front section showing the concave contour of the hinged front section to which the lining extending thereover may be made to conform.

Throughout the various figures like reference numbers apply to similar parts.

The casket according to my invention is of the half couch type yet it can be used, if desired, as a hinged cap type wherein only the composite head cap is opened. The closed foot end portion It extends from the half couch line indicated at 11-41 in Fig. 1 to the foot of the casket while the head end portion is indicated at it. The casket has a front side wall 12 extending the length thereof, a back side wall it extending the length of the casket, a foot end wall it and a head end wall l5. Suitable trim it and it extends around the casket at the base and top of its walls, respectively. This casket depicted is about 6 feet inches in length.

The foot portion I il has an ogee extending 55 around the top of the walls and consisting of a front ogee is, a foot end ogee i9 and a back ogee 29 as best seen in Fig. 1. These ogee portions, as do the head end ogee portion to be described, have an arcuate exterior surface. The foot end portion 58 of the casket has a topmost portion 2| having an arcuate exterior surface which is like that of the topmost portion of the head end portion to be described hereinafter.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5 the head end 22 of the top-most portion 22 is concave and extends widthwise of the casket as indicated at a'b in Fig. 1. This concave end extends into the foot portion it of the casket beyond the half couch line cz-b as shown at c in Fig.1. This concave end is built up with a reinforcing block 23 extending transversely across the casket with a slanting end surface or face 24 which slants upward through the concave end toward the foot end of the casket. A suitable reinforcing memher or plate 25 extends transversely. across the casket beneath the block 23 and projects toward the head end a slight amount as indicated at 25. This concave slanted end surface 2 on the head end of the topmost portion 2! of the foot end id of the casket is in juxtaposition to the head end portion generally indicated at l l.

The head end portion or section H of the casket will now be described. This is made up of a composite head cap generally indicated at 26 which is hinged to the back side wall portion 53 by suitable inset hinges 2l2i, a narrow front section 28 hinged to the front wall portion 52 by hinges 292Q, see Figure 6, and a head end section generally indicated at 33 which is attached to the head end wall i5 by hinges 3il'3il, also best shown in Fig. 6.

The front section 28 is an ogee portion having an exterior curvature like that of the front foot portion ogee i8 heretofore described. The front edge 3! on front ogee section 28 is of concave shape of a radius of about 48 inches and has an interior concave surface 31' adjacent thereto, as best shown in Fig. 5 and in the cross sectional view in Fig. 4. The foot end of the hinged narrow front ogee section 28 terminates in a transversely extending foot end 32 which slidingly abuts the adjacent end surface 33 on the foot front ogee it while the other end terminates in an ogee portion having a surface 3 1 extending outwardly and towards the head end at the head end front corner of the head end portion of the casket. The concave surface 3| cooperates with a complementary convex ogee front portion on the composite head cap 25 next to be described.

The composite head cap 26 is made up of a topmost portion 35 having a front edge 35' and a back edge 35 and an exterior curved surface like that of the curved exterior surface of the topmost portion H of the foot end portion it of the casket. Attached to the back edge 35 of the topmost portion 35 is a back ogee 3S having a foot end 31 extending transversely and in substantial alignment with the transverse end 32 on the front ogee hinged portion with both being in alignment with the half couch demarcation line ab, as shown in Fig. 1, and the back ogee end 3i being in sliding abutment with the adjacent head end 38 on the back ogee 26 of the foot portion of the casket. The other end of the back ogee terminates in a surface 39 at the back head corner of the casket. The back ogee 35 is hinged to the back wall [3' by hinges 27-21 as described heretofore.

Referring again to the topmost portion 35 of the composite head cap, there is formed at the back head corner thereof a triangular portion 43 defined by the head end of the rear edge 35" thereof and an edge il extending in alignment with the end surface 39 on the back ogee portion 38. A front ogee portion 42 is attached to the front edge 35 of the topmost portion 35 of the composite head cap 2:3. This front ogee portion has a curved exterior surface that of the ogee portions at the foot of the casket, a convex front edge 13 and an adjacent interior convex surface M, see Figs. d and 6, which is in juxtaposition with and complementary to the concave front edge St on the front hinged portion 28. These surfaces 3! and id serve to support the composite head cap when in closed position along with the end surfaces of the composite head cap to be described.

The composite head cap 26 is formed with a convex foot end 46 having a radius of about 18 inches and an adjacent interior convex surface sloping downwardly and inwardly in juxtaposition with and complementary to the concave end 22 and slanting surface 2% on the head end of the topmost portion 2! of the closed top foot portion IQ of the casket. The slanting surface 24 of the concave end 22 of the foot portion it serves to also support the abutting end surface :5 of the composite head cap 2i; when in closed position.

At the opposite end to the foot end 45 of the topmost portion 35 of head cap 26 is a head end ii of convex shape with a radius also of about 18 inches and having an adjacent convex surface 68 which also slopes downwardly and inwardly. The rear end of the convex head end i'l may extend in spaced relation at to the rear edge 35 of the topmost portion 35 of the composite head cap 2% and may terminate in the edge 4! of the topmost portion 35.

The head end section 30, a portion of the head end portion ll of the casket, will now be described. It comprises a head ogee portion 5% hinged at 3ii-38 to head end wall 35 and has a curved outer surface like the other ogee portions heretofore described and a topmost portion 5! having a curved exterior surface of like curvature to the topmost portion 35 of the composite head cap 2%. Topmost portion 59 has concave edge 52 and an adjacent interior concave surface 53 which slants downwardly and inwardly in juxtaposition with and complementary to the end surface 48 on the head end 47 of the composite head cap 26. This surface 53 also serves to support the abutting surface on the head end l? of composite head cap 26 when it is in a closed position.

In Figs. 1 through 6 I have shown the casket according to my invention with no lining. Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show how the composite head cap 26 may be made up of panel portions which are given a smooth exterior curved surface as described above. While the embodiment here shown is fabricated from wood it could be fabricated of metal or composition within the teachings of my invention.

In Fig. 5 I have shown the composite head cap 26 hinged to open position depicting the use of the casket as a hinged cap casket. The front hinged ogee narrow portion 28 is in closed position as is the head end section so, however, with this construction and use it will be noted that a relatively wide oval-like opening is provided which permits a clear side view of the body. It Will be also noted that the composite head cap 25 has an oval-like shape or contour provided through the boundary edges i3, i5 and d1 also better depicted in the lined casket shown in Fig. 7.

I have shown in Fig. 7 a casket according to' my invention with lining and padding depicting an attractive burial case having smooth and pleasing curves. The lining 54 around the interior edge of the casket as shown in Fig. '7 may at the front be draped evenly across the front portion just above the side carrying bar 55 and its fittings 56 to present a pleasing and uniform appearance. However the lining portion as indicated at 54' may be draped to conform with the concave edge SE of the front hinged and narrow ogee section 28 to give a graceful curved presentation at the front of the casket just above the carrying'side bar 55 and its fittings 56.

In Figs. 3 and 6, I have shown the projecting portion 25' of cross piece 25 which serves to cooperate with the concave slanted surface 24 to support the foot end 45 of the composite head cap 2% when in closed position. With this support for the head cap and the concave surface at edge 35 on the hinged front ogee section 28 and the concave surface 53 on the head end section 36, there is provided distributed support for the composite head cap 26 when in closed posittion. So also this abutting fit just described above permits the hinged parts of the head section H to close to a tight but nicely fitting condition. Suitable concealed spring-pressed piston type catch members and cooperating sockets may be installed in the abutting faces of the hinged sections to lock those sections or members in closed position.

I have shown in Figs. 5 and 6 a suitable strap member 5'? attached to the upper portion of the composite head cap 26 and to the interior of the head end wall I5 of the casket to assist in holding the head cap from further backward opening. In the lined casket depicted in Fig. '7 this strap 51 may be shortened and lead underneath the lining if desired. So also the type of hinge 21 may be varied so as to provide a backward stop feature for limiting the backward swing of the composite head cap 26.

In the construction according to my invention there is provided a casket that may be used either as a hinged cap casket or as a half couch casket. In either case a casket having pleasing and graceful lines is provided with a large opening in the head end section for more easily inserting and displaying the body.

Since it is obvious that certain further changes can be made in the foregoing constructions without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, it is intended that all matter shown in the accompanying drawings or described hereinbefore shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. A casket having a foot end portion provided with a closed top for the foot end portion thereof and a head end portion capable of being opened, said top for the foot end portion having an end of concave shape in juxtaposition to said head end portion of the casket, said concave end having a surface throughout its width slanting upwardly towards said foot end portion of the casket, said head end portion being lined and comprising; side walls and an end wall; a head cap having a general oval shape throughout a front edge and two ends thereof and having a,

width substantially equal to the width of the casket; means pivoting said head cap to a side wall to support the head cap in an upstanding position to display the lining on the interior thereof; said head cap having a forward ogee portion with a convex edge and a convex interior surface adjacent thereto lying in a convex plane extending transversely across the casket and providing a supporting surface, an end of convex shape and a convex interior surface adjacent thereto in juxtaposition and complementary to said concave shaped end of the top for the foot end portion of the casket and said slanting surface thereof, and an opposite convex end having a convex interior surface sloping downwardly and inwardly adjacent thereto and providing a sup-' porting surface; a front ogee section; means directly pivoting the front ogee section to another side wall of said casket to permit the same to be pivoted to an open position to display the lining on the interior thereof; said front ogee section having a concave edge for juxtaposition with and of a shape complementary to said convex forward edge and said convex interior surface adjacent thereto on the head cap thereby providing a support for the adjacent surface on the head cap; a head end section; and means pivoting the head end section to said end wall of the head end portion of the casket to permit the same to be pivoted to an open position to display the lining or the interior thereof; said head end section having a concave edge for juxtaposition with and of a shape complementary to said opposite convex end of the head cap and said adjacent convex interior surface at the end of said head cap thereby providing a support for the adjacent surface on the head cap; said slanting surface on the concave end of the top for the lower end portion of the casket, said concave edge on the front section and said concave edge on the head end section supporting said juxtaposed and complementary interior surfaces of said head cap when in closed position, whereby the casket may be used as a hinged panel or a half couch type of casket.

2. A casket having a foot end portion provided with a closed top for the foot end portion thereof and a head end portion capable of being opened, said top for the foot end portion comprising an ogee having an arcuate exterior surface and extending along its front, foot end and back and a topmost portion having an arcuate exterior surface, said topmost portion having an end portion of concave shape in juxtaposition to said head end portion of the casket, said concave end having a surface throughout its width slanting upwardly toward the foot end of the casket, said head end portion being lined and having: side walls and a head end wall; a composite head cap extending substantially the Width of the casket comprising a topmost portion having an arcuate exterior surface of like curvature to that of the foot end topmost portion and front and rear edges, a foot end of convex shape having a convex interior surface adjacent thereto in juxtaposition with and complementary to said concave shaped end and its slanting surface of the topmost portion for the foot end portion of the casket, a back head triangular corner portion extending toward the back head corner of the casket and a head end of convex shape having a convex interior surface sloping downwardly and inwardly adjacent thereto extending across the end of the topmost portion to the said rear-head triangular corner portion, a front ogee portion attached to the front edge of said topmost portion or the headicap and'having an arouate exterior s'urraee of like curvature to that of theogeeportions -at' the foot of the casket, a convex front edge arena convex interior surface adjacent said edge and extending transversely across the easken'said convex ends and said convexogee front edge portion forming an oval-likepbrtio'n erthawinposite head cap, a back ogee portion attachedto the rear edge of said. topmost portion of the head cap and having an arcuate eXterior 'surface' of like curvature to that of the'ogee portions-at the foot end of the casket; means pivoting'salid back ogee of said composite head'c'a p to a side wall to support the composite hea'doap'in 'an upstanding position to' display the lining on the interior thereof; a front ogee-having an arcuate exterior surface of the same curvature "as the exterior surface of the og'ee fport-ionattached-to the front edge of the composite head-cap; *rheans directly pivoting the front ogee toanother side Wall of said casket to permit the same"to"be pivoted to an open position to "display thelining'on the interior thereof; said front ogee having a concave edge for juxtaposition with and of a shape complementary to said-convex front edge and said convexinterior surface' adjacen't thereto on said front ogee portion of the composite head cap; a he'adend section' comprising a head ogee having'an arcuateex'terior'surface of like curvature to the other ogee portions of 8 the casket and a topmost portion having an arcuate exterior surface of like curvature to the exterior surface of the topmost portion of said composite head'cap and a concave edge for juxtaposition with and complementary 'tosaid'convexhead end of the topmost portion of the composite-head cap; "andrneans pivoting said ogee portion of the head section to' said head end Wall of the casket to permit the same to be pivoted to an open position to display the lining 'on the interior thereof ;'said concave surfaces on the topmost portion of the "top for the lower end portion of the casketythe front ogee pivoted to the sidewall of the casket and the head end Section supporting'said juxtaposed and complementary interior surfaces of' said composite 'head cap when in closed position-whereby the casket may be used as a hinged panel or "a" half 'couch type of casket.

FRANK E. DAVIS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 72,523 Maulsby Apr. 26, 1927 54,321 'Fogg May 1, 1866 789,503 Myers May 9, 1905 1,451,009 Charlesw'orth Apr. 10, 1923 2,350,084 Williams May 30, 1944 

